There was nothing but surprise today for the late-arriving spectator who came to Maple Leaf Cricket Club, asked the CricInfo scorer when the match would be starting, and was then told that it had already finished. But it was easy to understand his bemusement, given just how quickly first-seed Scotland completed its six-wicket victory over Fiji.

For many of the Fijians, it was a day when they gained their first experience of batting on turf wickets. Sadly for them, they had to do so against probably the best pace attack in the competition - an attack which was able to brilliantly exploit favourable conditions.

It was the first match played on the new turf wicket on the north-west of Maple Leaf's five grounds, and neither side knew quite what to expect.

Neil Maxwell is Fiji's only player with extensive experience of turf pitches and he read it as likely playing fairly slowly with low bounce, offering early help to the seamers because of the overnight dew.

Scotland captain George Salmond called correctly, and duly put the Fijians into bat. It soon became clear that this was by no means an easy wicket on which to bat, with considerable bounce, some pace, and much movement off the seam.

Although Durham pace bowler James Brinkley was rested for this match, the Scots opening attack of John Blain (1/11) and Asim Butt (5/11) relished the conditions. Blain generated considerable pace bowling up the hill and Butt (although of a much more moderate pace) was a real handful, combining late inswing with movement off the seam.

The Fiji cause was not helped when Maxwell (2) - who, earlier in the same over, had already experienced trouble in avoiding a short pitched ball from Blain - called for a sharp single, only to be sent back by his partner. A sharp pick up and direct hit from Salmond left him well out of his ground.

The Fijian lower order showed some enterprise, and after Craig Wright (3/16) had bowled Iniasi Cakacaka (12) with his first ball, only to have it called no-ball, he was struck for a couple of excellent fours. Cakacaka became the only Fijian to reach double figures before falling to the same bowler.

Butt finished with an impressive 5/11, conceding only six runs off the bat, and at one point taking three wickets in the space of four balls. It was Fiji's lowest total ever in an ICC Trophy match, erasing their tally of 69 (made against Bermuda in 1986) from that part of the record books.

Fiji nonetheless refused to meekly accept defeat. Taione Batina (2/13) and Atunaisa Tawatatau (0/14) both troubled the Scots openers. Bruce Patterson (3) sought to play his shots, but had trouble with the high bounce. A poorly judged hook led to a top edge and an easy catch at gully, and Colin Smith (0), having survived a confident appeal from his first ball, was less fortunate with his second, being adjudged lbw as he prodded forward.

Douglas Lockhart (14) played with patience and steadied the innings, taking few risks until he hooked left armer Jone Seuvou (1/9) straight to square leg. Although by now the Scots were nearly level, the Fijians had one last fling and, with Maxwell generating good pace, Salmond (2) had some difficulty with one short pitched delivery and then snicked an easy catch to slip. With the scores level, Greig Williamson (4) advanced down the wicket to his first ball and smashed it over mid off for the winning runs.

After the match, Maxwell, whilst not offering excuses, explained how hard it was for the Fijians to adjust to the conditions, given that they have experienced no opportunity to practice on turf wickets, either at home or in the warm-up matches to the competition.

Scotland coach Jim Love felt that, whilst the high bounce would favour his strong pace attack, batting will be very hard on this pitch, particularly early in the day when the effects of dew are still evident.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd